BLAST FROM THE PAST: The Continuity References of ‘Knock, Knock’

During the latest series of Doctor Who Blogtor Who will look at all the nods and references to adventures which have gone before. So even if you are not already a Mastermind expert on all things in the Whoniverse you can appreciate the little details as well. Perhaps you are a very knowledgeable Whovian already but did you spot them all?

The Time Lords – Doctor Who – The War Games (c) BBC

Time Lords

Whilst the Time Lords are now quite widely known it wasn’t until the last story of Patrick Troughton’s era as The Doctor that they were first mentioned by name. Producer Derrick Sherwin and co-writer of ‘The War Games’ (1969) Terrance Dicks came up with the name for The Doctor’s species. These ancient and god-like beings wielded great power but rarely used it due to their policy of non-interference. It was frustration at this policy which caused The Doctor to steal a TARDIS and run away from Gallifrey.

Time Lords – Doctor Who – The Invasion of Time (C) BBC

Big Collars

The iconic look of the Time Lords is of big collars. James Acheson and Joan Ellacott provided the costumes for ‘The Deadly Assassin’ (1976) that introduced these large ceremonial collars. From that moment on the Time Lords were associated with these collars and were seen in other stories such as ‘The Invasion of Time’ (1978) and ‘Arc of Infinity’ (1983). Even in the modern version of the show Time Lords have been seen wearing these collars, most recently by the President in ‘Hell Bent’ (2015).

Post Regeneration Nap

The Doctor tells Bill that sometimes Time Lords need to sleep if they have regenerated, or had a big lunch. After The Doctor’s fourth regeneration his new incarnation required rest and recuperation in the Zero room in the TARDIS (Castrovlava, 1982). Similarly, the Third Doctor slept whilst in a hospital bed and said he was tired after the forced regeneration that ended his second incarnation (Spearhead from Space, 1970).

Harriet Jones, MP Flydale North – Doctor Who – World War 3 (c) BBC

Harriet Jones

Harriet Jones, MP for Flydale North, met the Ninth Doctor in 10 Downing Street during the events of ‘Aliens of London/World War 3’ (2005). By the time The Doctor had regenerated Harriet Jones had become Prime Minister. She immediately brought on the wrath of the Tenth Doctor by ordering the destruction of the Sycorax spacecraft (The Christmas Invasion, 2005). Sadly she was exterminated by the Daleks in ‘The Stolen Earth’ (2008).

These are the things that we noticed. Let us know what you saw if they don’t appear above.

Assistant Director (uncredited) on Doctor Who episodes ‘Dark Water/Death in Heaven’, ‘Last Christmas’, 'The Return of Doctor Mysterio' and ‘Thin Ice’. A fan and collector since 6 years of age having watched Doctor Who repeats on BBC2. Equally enthusiastic about Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. Lucky enough to own original costumes worn by Freema Agyeman, John Barrowman and Elisabeth Sladen. Author of a book chronicling the history of Doctor Who exhibitions coming soon from Telos Publishing.